Manchester United are ready to grant Wayne Rooney a sensational return to boyhood club Everton at the end of the season, according to reports.

Wayne Rooney could be heading back up the M62, according to reports.

The Independent has exclusively claimed that sources within both clubs say a deal is “likely to happen” with the Toffees’ academy graduate set to head back up the M62 and complete a remarkable return to the club he left in July 2004 to join United.

However, the most astonishing thing about the whole situation is that the Red Devils are believed to have agreed to waive any transfer fee for the 31-year-old, while Rooney himself will reportedly half his current salary packet to sign a £150k-a-week deal with the Blues.

This news will have dealt West Ham United’s summer transfer plans a significant blow after the Hammers were linked with a move for Rooney in Monday’s gossip columns, while a supposed big money move to China’s lucrative Super League will also not go ahead if the striker completes a reunion with his beloved Everton.

United had allegedly been happy to sanction a move to the Far East back in January, but reports that have emerged since say Rooney held off on moving to China after supposedly having his interest piqued about Everton’s enquiry into his availability.

Blues boss Ronald Koeman told Sky Sports at the end of February that he would like to bring Rooney back to Merseyside and stated his belief that the boyhood blue had much more to offer the Premier League.

Koeman said: “I believe that Wayne Rooney is still playing on a high level. I think he made a good choice to stay at Manchester United and stay in the Premier League.

“I think he still has two or three years in front of him to play on a high football level. Okay, what will happen at the end of the season I don’t know but in my opinion who can make Everton stronger than it currently is.

“It’s all about what the player likes and what Manchester United needs to do. We are not involved in that project. Every player that we believe can make Everton stronger is welcome.”